Surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas

Abstract

A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for providing suction during a surgical procedure comprising:
 receiving a suction device; 
 delivering a pressurized gas to a suction port of the suction device thus directing the pressurized gas flow through an adjustable conduit with an annular opening configured such that the pressurized gas enters a cavity of the suction device at a non-orthogonal angle to a central axis of the device and generating suction; 
 connecting a surgical suction instrument to the suction device; 
 suctioning, with the suction surgical suction instrument, a gas, a liquid, a solid, or any combination thereof during the surgical procedure thereby generating a suction flow rate for each of the gas, the liquid, the solid, or any combination thereof; 
 preventing backflow of the gas, the liquid or any combination thereof by a backflow prevention valve comprising a sliding body and a diaphragm, wherein the sliding body is configured to move along the central axis within the device when acted upon by pressure transferred from a pressure source via the diaphragm to the sliding body, and the diaphragm is configured to move with respect to the sliding body; 
 adjusting the suction flow rate for the liquid, 
 wherein the suction flow rate of the gas remains constant when the suction flow rate of the liquid is adjusted. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suction flow rate of the liquid is adjustable over a range of between 5 cubic centimeters per second (cc/sec) and 60 cc/sec. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the suction flow rate of the liquid is adjustable by rotating a tuner arm of the suction device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the rotating adjusts a width of the conduit that delivers a pressurized gas to a hollow segment within the suction device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the width is adjustable between 0 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suction device operates at an auditory level below 48 dB. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suction device operates at an auditory level below 25 dB. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suction device comprises as least one sound deadening material. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weight of the device is less than 2 kilograms. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein suctioning occurs at a volumetric rate of between 5 cc/sec and about 60 cc/sec. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , comprising filtering the gas, the liquid, the solid, or any combination thereof using one or more filters. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the filtering collects particles with a diameter between 15 nanometers and 5 micrometers. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more filters is located within the suction device. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the suction device further comprises a valve configured to prevent backflow of the suctioned gas, liquid, solid, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , comprising activating a backflow alert in the presence of a backflow of the gas, the liquid, the solid, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the backflow alert is a visual alert, an audible alert, a mechanical alert, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , comprising activating an alarm that sounds in the presence of a blockage of the device. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the suction device is configured to couple with a surgical suction system comprising a canister and a suction tube.